Mars Area School Board reviewed the results of Mars Area School District’s Enrollment & Capacity Study at a special meeting on March 29. 

Based upon current projections, with continued growth in both Adams Township and Middlesex Township, especially in terms of new and planned residential developments, the District’s student population is expected to continue growing, said Jon M. Thomas of Thomas & Williamson Program Management, who presented the results of the study.

To view the Enrollment & Capacity Study PowerPoint presentation, visit https://4.files.edl.io/aa3f/03/30/23/174303-044d17b8-0bfc-4871-8bd5-b44bac8f3fc3.pdf. 

“By the numbers, there are more kids coming in and they are going to keep coming,” said Thomas. This continued growth has already put the District over capacity at both Mars Area Elementary School and Mars Area Primary Center.

Mars Area Primary Center

The building capacity at Mars Area Primary Center is 506, and the school’s current enrollment is 532 students, said Thomas. Mars Area Elementary School has 907 students with a building capacity of 900.

To accommodate existing and anticipated growth at Mars Area Primary Center, Thomas presented plans to update and expand the building, which was originally built as “Adams Elementary School” in 1951 and was expanded in 1957 and, once again, in 1995.

The proposed project would include the addition of a new classroom wing at the rear of the building, a STEAM classroom/maker space adjacent to the school’s library, and a new full-size gymnasium in the location of the existing cafeteria.

The school’s gymnasium would be converted into a cafeteria; the main office would be expanded; and a new secure entryway with an exterior canopy would be added to connect the main entrance to the kindergarten wing. The estimated cost of the proposed expansion project would be $23,775,994.

While it is not included in the cost and scope of the proposed Primary Center project, the District’s Administration Office, which occupies a portion of one of Mars Area Primary Center’s classroom wings, could also be relocated to allow for additional educational space at the school, said Thomas.  Possible locations for a new Administration Office could be along Doc’s Way near the District’s multipurpose field or near the current office on the baseball fields, which would need to be relocated.

Mars Area Elementary School

Thomas also proposed an expansion project at Mars Area Elementary School, which was originally built as “Mars Area Primary Center” in 2000 and changed its name when the District consolidated its elementary grade levels in 2004. In 2011, 12 classrooms were added to the building and the kitchen/cafeteria was expanded.

A proposed project at the school would include the construction of a new two-story, 12-classroom wing and a new cafeteria/kitchen at the rear of the building. The existing cafeteria would be converted into a STEAM classroom/maker space; the main office would be expanded; a new parent drop-off area would be added at the rear of the building; the school’s playground would be relocated; and parking areas would be expanded. The estimated cost of the overall project would be approximately $13,830,494.

“Class size is one of the main reasons that we are really trying to take a look at this capacity issue,” said Dr. Mark Gross, superintendent, adding that the District has considered a variety of options, including possibly moving a grade level to another building. “Based on the projections, it looks like we got on this just in time. We should be able to stay within those class sizes that are ideal.”

At this time, the proposed plans are all conceptual and a considerable amount of discussion and review is required before the District could move forward with either project, said Thomas. If approved by the Board, the school projects would not begin until the Summer 2025 at the earliest.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of us,” said Gross.

Athletics Facilities

In addition to offering recommendations for accommodating anticipated growth at the District’s school buildings, Thomas also discussed upcoming maintenance requirements and possible projects affecting the District’s athletics facilities.

Mars Area High School tennis courts require a complete overhaul and a possible reconfiguration, he noted. In addition, the artificial turf at varsity softball field, multipurpose field, and Mars Athletic Complex field will need to be replaced in the next four to six years.

Given the limited amount of space available to expand or improve the aging Mars Athletic Complex stadium, Thomas proposed a plan to build a new stadium on the opposite side of Mars Area Middle School’s new driveway. The project, which would cost approximately $14,464,148, would include a new field, bleachers, press box, a secure entrance and updated infrastructure.

If the stadium were to be moved to a new location, the varsity baseball field at Mars Athletic Complex would have room to expand, said Thomas. The remaining space could be used for additional athletic fields that could accommodate both District and community sports teams.

For more information, call (724) 625-1518.